Made possible through the Access to Information Act, on February 5, 2016, the Brazilian National Institute Pact for the Eradication of Slave Labor (InPACTO) released the Ministry of Labor’s updated blacklist of 340 companies fined for maintaining workers under slave-like conditions. While agricultural enterprises make up the large majority, textile and construction companies operating in urban areas are not far behind.

Since 2003, the Ministry of Labor began publishing its annual “Laundry List,” as it is known, to deter companies from using slave labor. The blacklist reveals the identity of the owner, business name with registration number, and address. Those blacklisted cannot obtain government loans and participate in public auctions. Under the National Pact for the Eradication of Slave Labor of 2005, they also face private sector boycott of their products and services.

Due to inadequacies of these measures to eradicate slave labor, the Brazilian Congress went a step further in June 2014. Despite fierce lobbying by ranchers, they passed a constitutional amendment legalizing the expropriation of propriety owned by businesses caught exploiting slave labor. Without any compensation to their owners, such land in rural areas would be earmarked for agrarian reform and housing projects for landless rural workers.

Then, in December 2014, the Brazilian Association of Real Estate Developers obtained a Supreme Court order suspending the release of the “Laundry List,” claiming it illegal and unconstitutional.

Last year, the Ministry of Labor carried out 140 on-site inspections. In 90 out of the 257 establishments visited in both rural and urban areas, officials rescued 1,010 victims found working under slave-like conditions. The greatest number of victims (313) was concentrated in mineral extraction and in breaking stones. Urban construction slave workers (187) make up the second largest group, followed by those found in agriculture (155), and cattle rearing (144).

By state, Minas Gerais ranks in first place with 148 slave workers rescued. Other top ranking states include Maranhão (107), Rio de Janeiro (73), and Ceará (70).

The Ministry of Labor estimates that there are more than 150,000 Brazilians working under slave-like conditions. The number of officials trained in combating slave labor is insufficient to attend to the demand. Moreover, these inspectors can face life-threatening situations.

On January 28, 2004, while investigating allegations of slave labor on a ranch in Unaí, Minas Gerais, four officials were assassinated. The case, known as the “Unaí Massacre,” still languishes in court. Five years later, the government designated January 28 as the National Day of Combat against Slave Labor. This annual commemoration serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle against the inhumane exploitation of the nation’s most vulnerable workers.

Brazil continues to face opposition in eradicating forced or slave labor. Those who profit from this practice not only question the legality of the Ministry of Labor’s publication of the “Laundry List,” they also seek to modify the legal definition of slave labor. The masters at contorting language to suit their purposes are busy at work.

Arrrggggghhhhh! You don’t want a comment from me on this one, Rosaliene. Oh well… government efforts, my ass. If the “government” wanted to end slavery, it would do so, in the blink of an eye. Let a war be declared, and see how long it takes to line up the soldiers, the planes, the tanks, the drones, etc. This is a sop to those who would actually do something about slavery. Sending agents into dangerous situations without backup? That’s collusion with the slave owners made to look like it isn’t. And it’s meant to discourage official efforts by creating a fear pattern. If this was really considered a crisis the “government” which has final word and the actual power, would send in the army to shut every place on the laundry list down. Then the owners are lined up and shot, in front of their slaves. Then, if I were “the government” I would ask, “Anybody else has any questions? Good. Now let’s see you operate under the law.” The elites get away wit it because they elites and the government are the same people!

“The elites get away with it because the elites and the government are the same people!”
~ Sha’Tara, I have to agree with you on this. Besides, growing inequality has forced the poor to risk everything to stay alive.

There’s a side of me that truly hates to be bearer of bad news. No enjoyment in it, I assure you. Imagine if either you, or myself, had the power to deal with this… this…filth. If you are familiar with the Tolkien tales, the Silmarillion, the Lord of the Rings, you can’t help but see that is exactly what we are up against: The unleashed forces of Angband… or Mordor, as Monsanto, the CIA, the Pentagon, Goldman Sachs, backed by their endless armies of orcs, ie, so called “soldiers” who are nothing more than mercenaries in the pay of the Matrix.

As in Tolkien’s stories, the “people” simply did not want to believe they were facing complete slavery and extermination. After all, “it’s not my child breaking up those rocks… there’s another explanation… it’s not what it seems… the government and other agencies will deal with it… I have enough problems right now, right here… if those people would just stop doing drugs, get off their asses… the parents should be made responsible to send their kids to school… these people should stop having kids if they can’t feed them… NOTE: I’VE HEARD EVERYONE OF THOSE STATEMENTS AT SOME TIME OR OTHER. AND THIS, IN CANADA.

Here’s my challenge to you and your bloggers: you are given carte blanche and all the power necessary to deal with this problem. How are you going to go about it? How do you make absolutely sure that ten years down the road you’re not facing the same, or a similar, situation again?

You already have my “solution” and I’m not backing down from it. Could be the French in me: we all have the guillotine in our DNA since 1789 – and to be honest, fat lot of good that did too. Within a generation “they” were all back in control. I’m not claiming that lining them up for the firing squad is any solution. It’s never worked before but it would feel good. How deep does the evil infesting humanity run? If death is the answer, how many need to be executed? All? (rhetorical!)

Slave labor is not something uncommon in rural Europe, and probably elsewhere. Company owner takes away the passports, and people are stuck. As consumers, we have no idea what is going on behind the scenes, and what is a real price for the goods. The world is a pretty corrupt place I would say.

Oh so sad it is .. Child Labour exists even in India but it is worst .. Blessed the kids are atleast people like you are giving them the attention of the World . Hope your efforts brings the light in there darkness ..